2009 Mercedes Benz SLK

Defect. MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

ON 3/22/2012 WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF LEAVING A DRIVEWAY, THE RIGHT WHEEL SLOWLY SEIZED (WITHIN 100 FEET), ABS AND ESC WARNINGS APPEARED AND THE CAR BECAME IMMOBILIZED. THE CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE AND RELATED WHEEL/PARTS WERE REPLACED. ON 6/23/2012 AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ABS, ESC WARNINGS SHOWED, THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT ON BRAKING. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER AND PARKED, AND AGAIN FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER. THE LEFT STEERING KNUCKLE AND RELATED PARTS WERE REPLACED. IN SHORT, THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE FAILED, AT LOW SPEED FORTUNATELY, AND THREE MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. HAD THESE FAILURES OCCURRED AT HIGHER SPEED, THEY WOULD HAVE PRESENTED A SERIOUS STEERING CONTROL PROBLEM. *TR

NOT A FAILURE, BUT I NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT LABELING DISCREPANCY ON MY 2009 MERCEDES BENZ SLK300. THE TIRE LABEL ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR INCORRECTLY LISTS THE OEM TIRE SIZE AS 205-55-16 FRONT AND 225-50-16 REAR. THE VEHICLE IN REALITY IS FITTED WITH 225-45-17 FRONT AND 245-40-17 REAR; THESE ARE NOT OPTIONAL TIRES/WHEELS EITHER - THEY ARE THE STANDARD SIZE AND WERE LISTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER AS SUCH. THEREFORE, IT IS ALSO NOT CLEAR TO ME IF THE SIZE DISCREPANCY ON THE LABEL ALSO MAY MEAN THAT THE LISTED TIRE PRESSURE DO OR DO NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. *TR